Buno Training

BUNO TRAINING

Mud Training

For balance, mobility and endurance, the student is made to walk through stiff mud while on his knee

Water Training

For balance, endurance and perfection of breathing technique, a sack of rocks is tied to the student’s body. He is then made to wrestle an unimpaired opponent in various levels of water: waist-high to overhead depending on the student’s ability.

Canoe Training

This type of training addressed balance, lower body strength and endurance. Two canoes are brought together in parallel fashion, but not tied of fixed in any way. The student is made to stand in the front, one foot in the prow of each canoe. As the vessels are propelled forward, the student must hold them together. Note: as may be expected, the rower in each boat makes no effort to ease the student’s difficulties, often paddling to seperate the boats.

Bamboo Training

This type of training addressed the use of proper stances and balance. Two wetted bamboo poles are straddled across a fast-moving river. The student is made to continuously cross the river on the poles, gripping with his toes,and using the proper footwork. Loss of balance results in a river ride that can easily carry a man more than a mile downstream before he can make shore. He then must return to the poles to try again.

Tamaraw Training

Methods of off-balancing are emphasized in this type of training. The student is made to wrestle a pygmy carabao (indigenous to Mindoro island only) barehanded. The goal is to take the animal to the ground by any means.

Log Training

Proper rolling and breathing technique are both emphasized in this drill. The student is presented with a wooden log approximately 6 feet long and 160 pounds in weight. He is then made to roll, holding the log pressed to his body, in water approximately knee-high in depth.

Tree Climbing

The student is taught to climb trees very quickly and jump from heights greater than 12 feet. His ability to perform this exercise is continually challenged.

Arnis (Weapons) Training
The student is made to learn, practice, and apply in combat the Doce Pares style of Arnis de Mano.

Farming

Although unexpectedly common, a good days’ work on the farm further tests the student’s endurance and patience. It also re-enforces established footwork patterns which are just as useful on the farm as they are in combat.

The student’s skills were periodically tested in a ritual manner. This usually involved the hunting of wild boar, deer or snakes without weapons. Performance during these tests was used to gauge the students level of achievement.